Showing posts with label southern baptist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label southern baptist. Show all posts

6.03.2014

Morning Links (June 2): Southern Baptist Convention Edition




Kindle Offers
Lost and Found by Ed Stetzer and all 2.99
The Mission of Today's Church: Baptist Leaders Look At Modern Faith Issues by Ed Stetzer and Other's .99
God and the Gay Christian: A Response to Matthew Vines  by various .99
Understanding Sexual Identity: A resource for youth ministries by Mark A. Yanrhouse 7.99



Convention is just a few days away and there's a lot of issues we will be voting, and hopefully, thinking about about. Here are a few thoughts from well known SBC leaders.

4 Trends for Churches to Consider 
Ed Stetzer, a leading SBC missiologist and pollster, has written about four trends the church is currently facing that will also become important in the near future. Mainly we're getting smaller, which has some benefits (Christians of conviction will outnumber nominal believers) but there is much to be concerned about. Mainly, we have to find ways to reach out to millennials.

Southern Baptists' Millennial Problem
Speaking of Millennials, Trevin Wax gives his own ideas as to how to deal with the loss of this age group. He appeals to leaders to consider that our outreach has to take into consideration that millennials are staying single longer.

There is no "Third Way"
Al Mohler recently wrote about the so called "third way" many churches are following in regards to same sex relationships. It was spurred on by a recent decision by a pastor here in Southern California who changed his views on the issue, leading to an exodus of people from the congregation. A church split is always heart breaking, and always the last option, but in this case it was warranted. Mohler challenges the convention to remember one thing in all this: there is no third way. Either you're for it or against it.

A Resolution on Transgender for the SBC
Denny Burke has written about issue of transgender people in the church here. The idea that someone was born male, but identifies as a woman (or vice versa), is now the new issue facing churches. In a great sign of foresight, Burke has drafted a resolution (read it here) that would make clear what the SBC believes on these issues, namely that gender is a gift from God, and to do violence to the body in the form or surgery of hormone therapy, is wrong. Russell Moore also writes about this issue here






5.24.2014

Morning Links (May 24 )



Kindle Deals. Mmmmmm yum!

Links 
The End of Books! What is the purpose of reading in the Christian life? The author of Lit! tackles that question over at the Desiring God Blog. 

Embracing the Strangeness of Christianity with Clarity Justin Taylor shares a little of what people think is weird about us Christians. Some helpful insights on talking about your views of marriage. 

An overview of Genesis 1-11
Over at the Bible Project, they're creating video introductions to every book of the Bible. Here's their intro to Genesis 1-11








5.22.2014

Morning Links: Including NT Wright's New Book and Kindle Deals



Take a look at a few kindle deals that might be good for your summer reading list:

Surprised by Scripture by NT Wright You can pre-order Wright's new book on Scripture issues (Comes out in June) that will include: evolution, the ordination of women, and the environment. Sure to be controversial.  

Can I have Joy in My Life? and How Can I Develop A Christian Conscience. Two books from R.C. Sproul's crucial questions series. They're  free today!

Christians Get Depressed Too by David Murray (4.99) Dr. Murray is professor of OT at Puritan Seminary and his blog has been a great example of what a Christian teacher/blogger can be. His aim to help those struggling with depression is a great step forward for the church, and the reformed camp. 

Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart by J.D. Greer (.99) Greer gives readers a look at what the Bible has to say about the assurance of salvation. It's been a hit for a while with good reason. 

Creature of the Word: The Jesus Centered Church (2.99) Matt Chandler and Co. are on a mission to show how the gospel impacts our ministry and how we do it.  

Broken Down House: Living Productively in a World Gone Bad by Paul David Tripp (1.99) Does sin affect our productivity? Tripp answers yes and shows how grace helps us to be productive and joyous even in our hectic world. 

God on Sex: The creators ideas about Love, Intimacy and Marriage by Daniel Akin (2.99) A Southern Baptist Pastor looks at what Scripture has to say about making whoopie! 

And now for some links:
 8 Lessons on Evangelism from Proverbs by David Murray I just mentioned Murray's book and blog and this is just another great example of his wisdom applied to evangelism.

Frozen is about sisterhood, not feminism My new favorite blog is Acculturated. It's dedicated to talking about virtue and vice in pop culture. This is a great look at the theme of sisterhood in the movie Frozen.

10 of the Best Free Apps for Ministry and Christian Living Baptist 21 gives you their list of great-FREE-resources.